Got my hands on the Graceland coaching guide last Tuesday. Wanted to see how they actually get things done. Figured hey, maybe something useful for our local club setup.
Jumping Right In
Started flipping through it over coffee. First impression? Ain’t some slick corporate handbook. Felt like someone just dumped years of their mess-ups and wins onto paper. Refreshing.
Okay, Part One tackled leadership stuff. Nothing fancy. Talked about building trust, plain and simple. They hammered on this point: “Don’t be a voice players only hear when they mess up.” Made me think hard about how I handle the boys. Do I bark only when the wheels fall off?
- Point one: Actually listen in the locker room. Not just nod while thinking about the next drill.
- Point two: Be real. Players smell fake a mile away.
- Point three: Own your screw-ups. Coach shouting at a ref for a bad call? Cool. But gotta apologize later? Do it loud, do it public.
The Staff Rollercoaster
Honest truth here – their section on staff dynamics hit home. Explained how easy it is for coaches to form cliques. Offense huddles here, defense huddles there, nobody sharing spit. They push this “one staff” thing hard. Means weekly all-hands meetings ain’t optional pep talks. It’s where coordinators gotta lay their playbooks open, literally.
Tried their approach at Thursday’s staff meeting. Felt awkward at first. Defensive coordinator kept squirming like we were stealing his playbook. But guess what? Our QB coach heard a coverage scheme the D runs and nearly jumped out his chair. “That’s why we got picked apart on 3rd down last week!” Lightbulb moment right there.
Player Leaders – Easy to Screw Up
This part got real. They warn you: Picking captains ’cause they’re your best player? Or worse, ’cause they’re the loudest? That’s asking for trouble. Graceland says find the guys teammates actually follow when the coach ain’t looking.
We tested it. Instead of our usual “raise hands” vote, tried their “secret ballot” thing. List three names. Told them votes were anonymous, coach wouldn’t even see the papers. Boom. Totally different names popped up. Three guys who barely said boo last year were the clear winners. Quiet glue guys. Workhorses. Shows ya – gotta dig deeper.
Why I Even Bother Digging?
Got handed a “leadership manual” years back at my first high school gig. Shiny cover, corporate buzzwords, felt like management mumbo-jumbo. Following it felt fake, like wearing someone else’s suit. Ended up losing the locker room by Week 3. Players tuned out. Staff argued. Principal called me in before Thanksgiving. Didn’t finish the season. That scar runs deep.
So seeing Graceland’s stuff laid out? It ain’t theory. It’s messy, scrappy notes from the trenches. Probably written on coffee-stained napkins after a bad loss. Resonates ’cause it stinks of reality, not some consultant’s perfume. Helps me remember leading ain’t about speeches. It’s about showing up consistent, being honest when you trip, and building something real block by block.
